Prescriptions

NEW Prescriptions:

In general, we do not prescribe new medications or make medication changes over the phone. With just a few exceptions, this is a dangerous and bad medical practice. New prescriptions and changes to medication regimens will therefore usually require an office visit. If you have a sick child, please call the office for an appointment. It is always preferable to provide a pharmacy a WRITTEN or ELECTRONIC prescription, as it is the best way to assure accuracy and prevent errors.

Prescription REFILL Authorizations/Requests:

For your safety and convenience, our office is now using an electronic prescription system. Please call your pharmacy DIRECTLY to process your medication renewal request.We are happy to process prescription refills to pharmacies if they are needed for ongoing treatment at a time when a followup office visit is not necessary. Particularly, long-term medications for chronic conditions may need frequent re-prescribing with certain insurance companies.

Prescription refill requests may take our office up to 24 hours to “process”, although we try to (and usually do) have them processed the same day!

Please understand that processing prescriptions is very time consuming for both our office and the pharmacy. You can help by following these guidelines:

Don’t wait until the last minute… request from your pharmacy several days before you run out of medicine.

Call the pharmacy to check if the prescription is ready BEFORE you go to pick it up.

Check and double check the prescription when you pick it up. Note any discrepancies immediately to the pharmacist, and call the office if you are still not certain.

Exceptions to visit required prescribing rule:

Fluoride

Pinworm or Head Lice treatment

Family contacts of Giardia, or Scabies.

Certain other situations in which prophylactic treatment due to contact with a contagious illness is needed but the patient is not exhibiting signs of illness.